Pray the Word with David Platt as a resource for Radical.net.

In the book of Zechariah that points us clearly and directly down the centuries to Jesus,

the one to come from the house of David. God talking about one who will be looked upon who is

pierced. So let me just pause there and jump forward to John chapter 19 verse 34 talking about Jesus

on the cross says one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and at once there came out

blood and water he who saw it his born witness his testimony is true and he knows that he's telling

the truth that you also may believe for these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled

not one of his bones will be broken and again another scripture says they will look on him

whom they have pierced that's direct quote from Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 you see the picture

God speaking to through his prophet Zechariah hundreds of years before that day on across talking

about the one who will be pierced for our transgressions to use language from Isaiah another prophet

bruise for our iniquities and it happens exactly that way a soldier piercing his side just as God

had promised get the picture this was all the part of God's sovereign design in history for the

salvation of your life my life salvation of men and women and children from the nations that he

would give his one and only son the first born of all creation to be born as a man like us yet without

sin so that one day this child born in a manger would be pierced on across to pay the price for

your sin and my sin so that we might receive the grace and mercy of God and salvation from our sin

and restoration to relationship with him to eternal life with him Jesus there's no one like you

prophesied for centuries before you came promised to come to be born in a certain place at a certain time

and the specific promises around your birth in Bethlehem to live a life of righteousness and

purity and holiness with no sin and then to die on across to be pierced for our transgressions

for our sins that people might look upon you who were pierced for us and then to rise from the grave

...